Yup, I think it's a little early! I was at the City yesterday, and while there wasn't any Christmas music, the lights were on in several areas as workers were stapling them to structures.

It's never to early to play Christmas music! lol

they've actually been putting the lights on since the end of July. If they don't start that early, they'll never get them done in time. it's a huge project that has a dedicated crew of guys that are actually on it year round. In January they start taking all of the lights down which takes a while as well, then in the off season it's a process of checking every light string and bulb, rotating the strings of lights so that older strings are pulled out of service, newer ones are reused, and brand new strings are brought in, and a lot of other work.

Add to that the huge amount of welding that they had added onto their workload this year to build all of the new props, flats, and structures for the Christmas in midtown, and it's a huge amount of work.

BTW, the new globe could be spotted in the Red Gold parking lot near it's entrance today. Similar to the one at Disney, but most certainly smaller by several feet. (I got to see the Osborne lights- mounted and in pieces backstage- on a frequent basis when I worked at Disney) Talked to another one of the guys who helps to oversee a lot of that and he adamantly confirmed that while it was inspired by Disney, and some of it will look similar, ALL of it (flats, globe, angels, supports, and other props) was built in house. They did use some photos of the Osborne lights at Disney as inspiration and models, but none of it came from Florida. the only ones I've heard say that any of this came from Florida all have "mysterious sources" or aren't sure, but that is not what any of the guys who actually work on it, supervise it, or have overseen it have said. And I've talked to several of them now.

Edit in: I am aware of a truck of smaller props that came in, though the people that I've talked to about it weren't sure what was on it other than it wasn't anything large and may have included some angels. But not sure where it came from.

« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 01:53:44 PM by sirwillow »

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This is a stick up! Get it? Stick.... Nevermind, it's a train robbery. I want everyone to get your hands up and act scared.

Wow! Thanks for the side-by-side comparison. I even grew up in West Little Rock and remember the Osborne Family Lights on their private residence long before Jennings Osborne gave them to Disney. I just assumed it was them, but after the side-by-side, its obvious they were 'inspired.'

Was there music from the speakers they installed in midtown? I could not tell with the video. I am surprised they don't do the fake snow unless that could cause a slippage problem on the sloped ground surface. Very nice video!